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Senran Kagura Burst Re:Newal delayed by Sony on PS4 due to sexually explicit Intimacy Mode

The Steam release will be unaltered and release simultaneously with the PS4 version.

Charles Singletary Jr

October 15, 2018 11:00 AM

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Some significant changes are going to have to be made to Senran Kagura Burst Re:Newal if it is going to get a western release on PlayStation 4. The game features Intimacy Mode, in which players can spray down and grope high school girls. Sony has halted the release and requested that the mode must be removed from the game.

As reported by GamesIndustry.biz, this is actually a change from Sony's previous stance. Previous Senran Kagura games featured the Intimacy Mode and Xseed Localization Producer Tom Lipschultz says "this is a brand new policy." He adds that he believes the "interactivity in general" is the issue and that he doesn't think "changing the ages would make any difference." The girls in the game, which features partial nudity, sexual themes, strong language, and violence, are of high-school age, but can be perceived as visibly underage.

Xseed Games' official statement is that "We respect the wishes of the platform holder." In a Twitter post, the company confirms that they will remove the mode in the PS4 version. It's not clear how long the delay is for, but the Steam version will be unalterered and will launch simulataneously with PS4. PQube publishes the game in the UK and ran into a similar problem when Omega Labyrinth Z, another game with sexually explicit content, was banned entirely. It was the first game to have that happen since Manhunt 2 was banned in 2007.

Senran Kagura Burst Re:Newal is a full 3D remake of the original game's fast-paced 2.5D brawling. The game's Dressing Room mode returns and is expanded with new outfits and customization options. Future DLC episodes will explore characters Yumi and Miyabi's histories prior to meeting Asuka and Homura. It is due for release on PS4 and PC via Steam sometime this fall. Stay tuned to Shacknews for additional updates.

Charles Singletary Jr

News Editor

Charles Singletary Jr keeps the updates flowing as the News Editor, breaking stories while investigating the biggest topics in gaming and technology. He's pretty active on Twitter, so feel free to reach out to him @The_CSJR. Got a hot tip? Email him at Charles.Singletary@Shacknews.com.